Aim:
This study investigates the effects of two direct factor Xa inhibitors, apixaban and rivaroxaban, and a direct thrombin inhibitor, dabigatran, on human primary chondrocyte cultures.
Materials and Methods:
Monolayer cultured chondrocytes were prepared. Cell cultures were treated with dabigatran, apixaban, and rivaroxaban. Cultures without drug treatments served as the control group. Using an inverted light microscope, the cell surface morphology was examined. Cell viability and the toxicity of drugs were evaluated using a commercial assay kit, and the results were confirmed using two nucleic acid binding dyes, acridine orange and propidium iodide. The expressions of cartilage oligomeric protein, matrix metalloproteinase-7, and matrix metalloproteinase-19 were assessed using the real-time polymerase chain reaction analysis. All the analyses were performed within 21 days. The data obtained were statistically evaluated.
Results:
The administration of the three drugs changed the cell viability, proliferation, and expressions of cartilage oligomeric protein, matrix metalloproteinase-7, and matrix metalloproteinase-19. The results were statistically significant (P<0.05).
Conclusion:
Results obtained from in vitro studies may not provide accurate and reliable insight for clinical practices. However, clinicians should know that drugs used for the prevention or treatment of diseases may suppress chondrocyte proliferation and damage the extracellular matrix formation.
Keywords: Apixaban, chondrocyte, dabigatran, extracellular matrix, rivaroxaban